“Put Up or Shut Up”: Progressives Challenge Trump to Keep Promises to Workers

As Donald Trump gains traction with traditionally Democratic-leaning voting blocs ahead of his second presidency, progressive Democrats are recalibrating their strategy. Frustrated by President Joe Biden’s pro-labor policies failing to translate into broad electoral rewards, progressives are adopting a bold new approach: hold Trump to his promises to workers—or expose him as a fraud.

According to Politico, the Congressional Progressive Caucus is already laying the groundwork for this strategy. Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) has signaled a willingness to collaborate with Trump on specific issues, such as antitrust enforcement. Similarly, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has welcomed the opportunity to hold Trump accountable for his pledge to cap credit card interest rates at 10%.

“Bring it on,” Warren declared, emphasizing that if Trump “refuses to follow through on the campaign promises that would help working people, then he should be held accountable.” A progressive aide echoed this sentiment, saying, “For the few policy proposals that we think will help the working class, capping credit card interest rates being one of them, we’ll say, ‘Put up or shut up.’

Because if he does, it’s a great win for millions of people across this country. And if he doesn’t, it exposes him as the fraud that he is.” However, progressives are under no illusions about their broader ability to align with Trump’s agenda. “There’ll be places where resistance is appropriate,” Warren told Politico. She cited potential nationwide abortion bans, tax cuts for billionaires, and corporate-friendly policies as areas where progressives would mount fierce opposition.

“If Trump follows his V.P. JD Vance in trying to ban access to abortion nationwide through the FDA, there will be massive resistance,” Warren stated. Trump’s worker-focused rhetoric includes proposals such as eliminating taxes on tips—a policy that Vice President Kamala Harris mirrored on the campaign trail. However, experts remain skeptical about the feasibility and genuine intent behind such initiatives.

This dual strategy—collaborating where beneficial and resisting where necessary—represents an evolution in progressive Democrats’ approach to Trump. By emphasizing accountability and worker advocacy, progressives aim to highlight Trump’s failures while pushing policies that resonate with working-class Americans.

As the political landscape shifts, the question remains: will Trump deliver on his promises, or will progressives succeed in exposing gaps between his rhetoric and actions? For now, their message is clear: “Put up or shut up.”